Rota duty saves day at KRH

Though the strike called by Karnataka Staff Nurses’ Association (KSNA) entered the fifth day on Tuesday; services at the K R Hospital continued to run with minor hiccups.

The nurses on strike contended that majority of the services at the hospital were not affected as they were attending duty on rotation basis, with clear planning on who would attend the duty.

Former KSNA president C M Gangamma said that around 300 people were taking part in the strike to reclaim a part of their salary that was being transferred into a colleague’s account, a fact that was camouflaged till late.

She said that a difference of Rs 1,11,000 had been found when an investigation was conducted by the association members. Furthermore, the nurses had been tracking the issue for the past six months. When the issue came to the fore and the association demanded an investigation, Rs 53,000 was divided and sent to the bank accounts of the several employees.

On the other hand, the remaining money is yet to be transferred to their accounts. The nurses allege that when they demanded a probe into the incident, office-bearers of the association, President Shivamma, Secretary Ratnamma and Treasurer Alice were transferred to other hospitals.

Transfer

They alleged that the clerk who is behind the irregularities was transferred on the second day of the strike. 

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Afshan, a resident of Bannimantap, said that services in the wards were as usual. While mentioning that her father had been admitted to the hospital due to a cardiac arrest, she said that there were no hassles as far as his treatment though the protest continued.

A resident of Kadakola, Mahadev had arrived in the city to get his son, who had severed his fingers in an accident, treated. Mahadev mentioned that his son was given treatment without any delay.

Stir ‘temporarily’ called off

The nursing staff of K R hospital have ‘temporarily’ called off their four-day stir. They will resume to work with an immediate effect. This was decided at a meeting convened by Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta in which representatives of the Nurses Association and senior officials of the hospital participated in the city on Tuesday.

Gupta told Deccan Herald that the principal secretary, Departments of health and Medical Education have agreed to meet the representatives of the association in Bangalore. As the district administration was not in a position to address their charter of demands now the ball is in the government’s court. In regard to alleged misappropriation, the DC said the government had already appointed an inquiry officer who is expected to come to the city in a couple of days to probe the matter.